EDMONTON -
Ajeej Sarkaria found goal three times, setting the all-time Canada West goal-scoring record in the process, as the Golden Bears routed the MacEwan Griffins 5-0 at Foote Field Sunday afternoon.
Sarkaria now stands alone atop the Canada West leaderboard, breaking the record with his second goal of the game, the 40
th of his illustrious Bears career.
He added his 41st later in the game for good measure, assisted by
Carlos Patino who had two goals of his own on the day.
After a draw on Saturday, this win moves the Bears to 1-0-1 on the season, and drops the Griffins in the loss column at 0-1-1.
QUICK HITTERS
- Sarkaria took the record over from UVic forward Simon Vickers, who scored 39 goals between 1994-98.
- Between Sarkaria and Patino, the duo has found early chemistry with eight points between them through the first two games.
- The 5-0 final tied the record for largest margin of victory in this Edmonton rivalry.
The first half started with a bang, a third-minute strike from a sliding Sarkaria that found mesh. The Bears did not relent from there, absolutely dominating the first half with additional goals from Patino and Sarkaria, the latter of which broke the Canada West record.
The second half saw much of the same from Alberta, with Patino adding his second of the game on a beautifully placed screamer from outside of the box. Sarkaria then added his third and final goal of the game in the 60
th minute.
The Griffins were not without standout performers, with Alvin Mazaheri adding two shots on goal, and goalkeeper Josh Stayko making a few massive saves against 11 shots on target.
When asked what Ajeej has meant to the Golden Bears program, head coach
Martin Fenger-Andersen was not shy to heap praise on his 5
th-year star:
Sarkaria was elated after the record setting performance; paying respect to those that came before him in the record book, and praising the Bears program for helping him achieve this incredible feat.
With this weekend's series in the books, the Golden Bears will return to action next weekend with a two game set against the upstart Mount Royal Cougars (1-0-2). Meanwhile, the Griffins host the undefeated University of Saskatchewan Huskies (2-0-0) in a two game series.
